England isn't where most people think of when they consider a sunny climate. Despite the infamous London fog and wet weather, the incidence of skin cancer and malignant melanomas has increased 360% in Great Britain since the late 1970's. While some of this is due to the increased knowedge of medical professionals to spot small moles or other skin irregularities, much of it is also attributable to more affordable to travel to warmer (and sunnier) destinations, the rise of "fake bake" tanning bed salons and a fashion trend for wanting a tanned skin look.
The charity Cancer Research UK is now working on making the public aware of the risk of skin cancer. In addition to education about the use of sunblock and protective clothing, the message is about past exposure. The age group showing the largest increase in melanomas is the over 65 bracket. Cancer UK says this is because sun exposure in childhood or younger years before many realized the dangers, puts a person at a higher risk of developing skin cancer. More than 2000 people a year die from skin cancer in the UK and there are approximately 14,000 new cases of the disease each year.
